2K Games has appointed a seasoned producer from the creators of Apex Legends to lead the studio crew at their internal studio, which is currently working on the forthcoming third-person action-packed title known as Project Ethos.
Leadership Change Comes After Lukewarm Reception
The new appointee steps into the leadership position at the development studio following the exit of previous head the ex-Sledgehammer Games executive, who was reportedly let go due to Project Ethos' lackluster early showing last fall.
On Wednesday, the company's top executive David Ismailer updated staff about this decision through an internal memo, which stressed that playtesting had shown the need for a clearer game identity.
The president noted that the developers is now reimagining the project with a refreshed vision, aiming to better meet player expectations.
A Pattern of Strategic Recruitment
The news follows a similar move taken by the publisher in the summer, when they brought on an industry veteran from the Diablo team to contribute to the beloved franchise studio Cloud Chamber.
Below is the full text from Ismailer's announcement:
Dear Team—
I know you all just completed your town hall - I hope you’re as thrilled as I am with the recent updates. Last time I sent you all a update, I expressed the following: “I am confident in this crew. You all are some of the most motivated and talented creators we have had the pleasure to work with - and we’re eager for that collaboration to persist.”
Through your commitment and adaptability, particularly over the last year, you repeatedly show that.
The community feedback from last fall’s the game playtest was revealing. It validated the potential of a roguelike shooter but indicated we still had work to do. It highlighted the requirement for a clearer identity.
It’s been inspiring to see how far you’ve come. You accepted the criticism to heart and overhauled Project ETHOS with a revitalized direction - one that’s ready to fulfill its ambition to our fans.
Our confidence in Project ETHOS strengthens every day. To further the remarkable progress you’ve made, I’m excited to welcome Ben Brinkman as the incoming Lead of the team. After a period of talks, he officially joins us on Monday, October 20.
Ben’s leadership and experience in the competitive gaming space is considerable, having spent the recent years developing and leading some of the most recognizable series in gaming, including Call of Duty: Black Ops, and more recently, Apex Legends.
Please join me in greeting him soon. We are all looking forward to keep witnessing the development of Project ETHOS in the weeks to follow.
The President
Experience of the New Head
The appointee currently serves in the position of senior developer and head of production at the renowned studio for their flagship title. Brinkman previously worked at major gaming companies in multiple development positions on the iconic franchise series, and, earlier in his career, had stints at other industry leaders.
Game Information and Vision
The upcoming game was revealed in last year together with a early access event. Initially, the developers portrayed the game as a "free-to-play, 3rd-person action-packed experience and an thrilling advancement on the genre."
"Build your perfect run—or die trying—in this 3rd-person action shooter! Customize your character in live gameplay to fit your unique tactics," the description explains. "Take on the competition with new abilities, risks, and tests that shift every session. Will you withdraw carefully with your valuable rewards? Or aim high, gamble everything, and trust your group can secure victory? The option is yours."
Project Ethos has not yet received an announced release date or supported systems, but enthusiasts can look forward to further news as production advances.
